Oak Level Baptist Church

Church News

Sharing the Journey

Greetings and Salutations in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ!

Here we are at another newsletter; the newsletter for September-October. What a privilege and blessing we have to see September and October again! September is the beginning of the church year. That being said, I thought I would kind of do a “wrap- up”, a “year in review.”

Over the past year we have been so very blessed by God! I often reflect that even though we have a small congregation (at this time anyway), we still experience the rich blessings of God. We are not drowning in debt, we have met and exceeded all goals for our mission giving, and we have had wonderful messages, Bible studies, musical guests, fellowships, etc. I pray that this trend will continue and increase over this next year! Unfortunately, we have had to bid “farewell for now” to Bro. Ben Morris and Sis. Daisy Barnes. We love them and their passing did leave a great void in our fellowship, and we continue to lift their family and friends up in our prayers. We get great comfort in knowing that they now reside at the throne of God and there are no more worries, no more health woes, and no more sorrow! Praise be to God! In my own personal life, I am getting ready to retire from military service after 20 years, my daughter is going into her senior year of college, many other things. I’m sure that each of you reading this can look to your own personal “year in review”. My prayer is that you look to where you’ve been and what you’ve come through and see that God has been faithful through it all. Lamentations 3:21-23 is such a wonderful resource from Scripture to encourage us in God’s faithfulness.

Lamentations was written by Jeremiah – “the weeping prophet” weeping over the state of rebellion by the nation of Israel. The word “Lament” which means weeping, sorrow, is the root of “Lamentations.” Jeremiah, in the midst of lamenting, gives the following affirmation: This I recall to my mind; therefore I have hope. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassion fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness. Look to your own personal “year in review”, through it all, see how God has been merciful and faithful to you!

Let us be encouraged by God’s faithfulness and His blessing!

I pray that everyone has a wonderful September and October. Everyone stay safe and healthy and may God’s rich blessings rest on you all!

Daniel
Phil. 4:13

CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING
The Church Council will meet Wednesday, October 7, at 6:00 p.m. Come prepared to plan events for the church calendar through March 2026. Those on the church council include: Pastor, Deacons Chairperson, Music Director, Stewardship Chairperson, Sunday School Director, and WMU Director. Other committee chairpersons are encouraged to attend if they have items to add to the calendar.

DOCTRINES OF THE BIBLE
Join us on Wednesday evenings for Bible study from 6:00- 7:00 pm. We are close to finishing up the Doctrine of God and will move to the Doctrine of Jesus Christ. This is a comprehensive study that will equip us to present the gospel and answer questions with the people that we come in contact. Boldness has been a constant theme throughout these studies. JOIN US this Wednesday!

Meetings
Tuesday - September 29 – 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday - October 28 – 6:30 p.m.

ALMA HUNT OFFERING
The annual Alma Hunt Offering for Virginia Missons is September 13 – 20. It provides essential funding for HerMission (WMUV) initiatives, BGAV special ministries, community outreach projects, and mission efforts not supported through regular church giving. Join us in prayer and giving as we witness Hope Rising through lives transformed daily by the hope and love of Christ. Each day that week will emphasize a prayer focus that you can pray for specific needs:
   • Community Missions – Pray for planting of Dinner Churches
   • Disaster Response – Pray for those affected by storms this year
   • Camp Piankatank – Pray for the retreat groups coming to Camp Piankatank this fall
   • Chaplaincy – Pray for our chaplains as they serve on the front lines of spiritual care in Virginia and around the world
   • Renewal – Pray for new HerMission groups across the state
   • Hope – Pray for the HOPE Ministry Team as they support churches and organizations
   • Leadership – Pray for the women and men who serve in churches across the state as they encourage others to live on mission in their communities
The OLBC 2026 Goal is set at $1000. A special ingathering of this offering is Sunday, September 20.

GETAWAY WITH US THIS FALL!
Sometimes we all need to get away. But what if your weekend away could have a lasting impact on your faith, mental health, relationships, and community? Join us in person this fall at Eagle Eyrie Baptist Conference Center in Lynchburg. There will be worship, bible study, dozens of breakout opportunities, and space for you to rest and reconnect with God and others. Save the date to attend Friday-Saturday, November 6-7. Registration for Getaway 2026 is now open via Eagle Eyrie’s website. If you are interested, please let Donna Winebarger know before September 27.

2027 BUDGET REQUESTS
The Stewardship Committee is beginning the process of working on the 2027 OLBC budget. All committee and organizational chairs are asked to submit their budget requests for the 2026 calendar year by Sunday, October 12. Place your requests in the Stewardship box in the Sunday School office or give them to Ken Turner, Doug Ramsey or Donna Winebarger. The 2027 budget will be presented on the first Sunday in November. Any changes to the budget will need to be addressed at the November 11th business meeting. The 2027 budget will be presented for adoption on Sunday, November 22nd.

Operation Christmas Child
Items have been flowing in for the Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes. Now we need YOUR help packing these boxes. On Sunday, October 18, please plan to stay after worship for lunch (provided by the WMU ladies) and pack your shoebox. You get to pick a boy or girl and what age group you would like to send a box. Everything will be set up for you to make your choices and pack your box! Remember shipping is $10 per box, and donations will be needed by the end of October to cover that cost. If you have not given to this worthwhile project and would like to you can mark your donation "Shoebox Shipping".

THANK YOU
Thank you to everyone who donated to the WMU Missions Project for the BGAV Disaster Relief ministry in June. The church collected $610 for this worthy project.

SCHOOL CLOSINGS FOR INCLEMENT WEATHER
The Wednesday evening service is NO LONGER tied to the notice of schools closing for inclement weather. The church office will send out an email IF there has been a decision to cancel Wednesday services or you can call the office or a deacon to verify the cancellation. For announcements concerning Sunday Morning Services, listen to B99 FM radio or watch TV Stations, WDBJ, Channel 7 or WSLS, Channel 10, for possible church cancellations.

THE GRACE NETWORK OF MHC
OLBC is just one of over one hundred congregations and other groups that partner with Grace Network to help families in crisis in Martinsville and Henry County. “Grace Network strives to give short-term assistance and to help find long-term solutions.” Each month we can help needy families by giving nonperishable food items, toiletries, cleaning supplies, and paper products. Check out the church bulletin to see what OLBC has pledged to give. You can be a part of this ongoing mission when you donate to this worthy cause. Visit their website at www.gracenetworkmhc.org to learn more.

Sharing the Love
Each week our folks are visiting friends throughout the community to let them know we love and care for them. Sometimes it is to sit and pray with someone suffering from injury or illness and unable to get out. At other times it's to get to know neighbors in the area and to introduce them to the ministries of Oak Level, if they do not have a church home of their own. In every instance it is another opportunity to go in the name of Jesus in order to be an ambassador of love. If you have never experienced the joy of visiting others or meeting new friends in this way, please know that you are more than welcome to join us. Visitation times are flexible according to your schedule, and there are plenty of folks that you already know who would be honored to go with you. Contact any deacon or the pastor for more information.

Newsletters
We publish our newsletter at Oak Level Baptist Church every two months. If you would like to have a copy, please feel free to download one of the newsletter PDF files.

For older PDF newsletters, please click to visit our Archive page.

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